Animated toy

ABSTRACT

An animated toy in the form of a movable figure which is adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto which includes a body and depending legs terminating in feet adapted to rest on the support and opposed arms journaled on the body for rotation through a rope-turning cycle and carrying a simulated jump rope. Powered animating mechanisms are provided in the figure for causing the figure to jump relative to the support in a free-standing position and for turning the arms in timed relation to the jumping of the figure such that the jump rope will pass beneath the feet of the figure when they are raised relative to the support such that the figure will simulate a child jumping rope.

[451 Mar. 21, 1972 United States Patent Amici et al.

[54] ANIMATED TOY [72] Inventors: Francis Robert Amici, Northford; Robert E. Davis, N. Branford, both of Conn.

Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N.Y.

Feb. 26, 1970 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

Attamey-Amster & Rothstein Appl. No.: ABSTRACT An animated toy in the form of a movable figure which is ...We m10... nm Wn P. we ad nd om WV. e am da s ma s adapted to rest on the support and op the body for rotation through a rope ing a simulated jump rope. Powere are provided in the figure for causin tive to the support in a free-standin the arms in timed relation to the that the jump rope will pass ben when they are raised relative to rope.

13 Claims, l5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZI 1972 3,650,066

SHEET 2 UF 4 ffOR/VEYI I du' PATENTEDMAR21 |972 3,550,066

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i INVENTOR.

Il, l 54 ""IIl/l//l//l//l/l/l//l HMA/cls R. AMK] v7% lBY Poseer mns Amm ma ANIMATED TOY The present invention relates generally to animated toys and, in particular, to a movable figure, usually in the form of a doll, which is adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto while swinging a jump rope.

Throughout the years, numerous designs have been suggested for dolls which simulate a child jumping rope, but such designs usually are such that the doll is not free-standing and thus does not provide a truly lifelike simulationrand animation. In application Ser. No. 882,908 entitled Self-Propelled Toy, there is disclosed a jumping rope doll which is capable of standing freely on a support, jumps'relative thereto and incorporates a jump rope and rope-turning mechanisms which are effective to turn the rope in timed relation to the jumping action of the doll to thereby provide a very realistic and lifelike animation for the doll. In said copendng application, there is disclosed a novel means for etectingmotion of the toy or doll which utilizes a sudden transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy within the toy or doll as a means for effecting the jumping motion. More particularly, the jumping of the doll is accomplished by combining a movable mass within the doll body with means for storing potential energy in such mass. Provision is made for the sudden release of the mass for motion relative to the doll body to create a sudden impact so as to cause the doll to be momentarily lifted relative to its supporting surface. Concurrent with the lifting or jumping of the doll, the simulated jump rope is turned through a rope-turning cycle by the arms of the doll such that the rope will pass beneath the feet of the doll on each jumping motion. Although the specific mechanisms disclosed in said copending application function admirably to produce the desired animation in a free-standing toy or doll, further improvements and modifications are desirable to ensure reliability, enable mass production manufacture and further improve the play value of the toy or doll.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved jumping rope toy which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a jumping rope doll wherein synchronization of the jumping of the doll and turning of the rope are achieved in a reliable and positive manner capable of manufacture on a mass production basis at relatively low unit cost and with the assurance of a high order of reliability over prolonged periods of use.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is provided an animated toy which comprises a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto. The figure includes a body having depending legs connected thereto which terminate in feet adapted to rest on the support and opposed arms journaled on the body for rotation through a rope-turning cycle and terminating in hands adapted to carry a simulated jump rope which is intended to pass beneath the feet of the figure when the figure jumps relative to the support. Animating mechanism are provided inthe body for jumping the figure and turning the rope in timed relation to each other such that the figure will jump ropein a free-standing position. The animating mechanisms include energy-storing means, preferably in the form of one or more springs, mounted in the body and movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion toimpart the stored potential energy to the figure to jump the same relative to the support. Powered means, preferably in the form of a batterypowered motor, are provided for charging the energy-storing means. Energy-releasing means are operatively connected to the energy-storing means for rapidly imparting the stored potential energy as kinetic energy to the figure at a predetermined time in the animating cycle. Arm-tuming' mechanisms are operatively connected to the arms for rotating the same through a rope-turning cycle during which the jump rope passes beneath the feet of the toy or doll. First coupling means are operable on the arm-turning mechanisms from the powered means for turning the arms through a portion of the rope-turning cycle in response to the loading motion of the energy-storing means which partial rotation moves the jump rope into a downwardly extending position forwardly of the feet. During the next portion of the rope-turning cycle, second coupling means are operable on the arm-turning mechanisms and are effective in response to the unloading motion of the energy-storing means for rapidly turning the arms through the next portion of the rope-turning cycle to pass the jump rope beneath the figure as it is momentarily lifted o its support.

As a further feature of the invention, provision is made such that the rope-turning mechanisms may be enabled and disabled at the will of the child such that the child may play with the doll with and without the rope-jumping action. This is accomplished by the simple expedient of providing a manual control, for example, in the form of a button in the rear of the doll, which engages and disengages the rope-turning mechanisms in relation to the overall animating mechanisms for the doll.

As a further feature of the invention, provision is made for permitting the arms of the doll to be rotated relative to each other, as is the usual case in a doll. But such freedom of rotation is achieved in a manner which does not disturb the orientation of both of the arms with respect to the rope-turning mechanisms and the overall animating mechanisms of the doll. Accordingly, the child is able to change the attitude of at least one arm relative to the other during regular play with the doll, and when the rope-turning mechanisms are to be enabled, readily reestablish the requisite opposed relation of both arms to each other for the mechanized action of the doll.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rope-jumping doll embodying features of the present invention, with the vertical directional arrows illustrating the jumping action of the doll and the rotational oriented directional arrows and dotted lines indicating the rope-turning action ofthe doll;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the hand and rope construction enabling the releaseable attachment of the jump rope in the hands of the doll;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the jump rope removed from one hand of the doll;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the portion of the body of the doll which houses the animating mechanisms and illustrating the energy-storing springs at the end of the unloading motion at the time of transfer of the stored potential energy to the doll to cause the same to jump relative to the support;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the animating mechanisms at the end of the loading motion or stroke for the energy-storing springs and just prior to release thereof;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view, with the animating mechanisms in the positions shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the arm-turning mechanisms shown in the disabled position, with the energization circuit for the battery-operated motor being open and corresponding to disablement of the arm-turning mechanisms;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows showing details of the motor drive, gear train and energyreleasing mechanisms ofthe doll;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4, on an enlarged scale and showing details of the arm-turning mechanisms and the manual operable control therefor;

FIG. l0 is a rear elevational view of the doll with parts broken away and shown in sections and with the animating mechanisms corresponding to the FIG. 5 position;

FIGS. lla, b and c are progressive diagrammatic views showing the driven member and follower pins ofthe arm-turning mechanisms and the associated claw and kicker during a typical rope-turning cycle;

FIG. l2 is a diagrammatic view ofthe doll in the position related to the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 1lb and just prior to the jumping of the doll; and

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic showing of the doll similar to F IG. 12 and likewise related to the progressive diagrammatic showing of FIG. 1l.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. l a jumping rope doll embodying features of the present invention which includes body 22, head 24, right and left arms 26, 28 terminating in right and left hands 30, 32 and right and left legs 34, 36 terminating in right and left feet 38, 40. Doll 20 is of the usual construction and typically includes a body, arms and legs which are rotation cast of plastic, and a head (with or without movable eyes) and usually incorporating a rooted wig. The construction and details of the doll are well known per se and of course the invention finds application in other types of animated figures.

The hands 30, 32 of the doll are constructed to releasably hold a jump rope 42 in an extended position relative thereto. The jump rope 42 is constructed of relatively rigid plastic such that it retains its U-shape and terminates in left and right hand grips 44, 46. Referring to the progressive showings of FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated the details of right and left coacting means on hands 30, 32 of the doll and on the jump rope 42 for releasably connecting the jump rope 42 to the hands 30, 32. Typically, the left hand 32 is molded to provide an angular disposed socket 32a between the thumb 32b and the remaining fingers 32e` which socket 32a receives hand grip 46 which has a main grip part 46a terminating at its opposite ends in spaced shoulders 46h, 46c which engage the dolls hand to preclude longitudinal displacement of the hand grip 46 relative to the corresponding hand 32. The resilience of the plastic employed to mold the jump rope 42 and the dolls hands 30, 32 is such that the rope may be firmly, but releasably attached to extend from the hands of the doll when the doll is being utilized in its animated mode but is such that the rope 42 may be removed from the hands of the doll when the child desires to otherwise play with the doll. ln lieu of the illustrated arrangement, the ends of rope 42 may be releasably anchored by inserting the ends of the rope through appropriately sized holes in the hands.

The legs 34, 36 of the doll are constructed to assure that the doll will stand freely on any supporting surface, such as surface S and may be swiveled on the doll body 22 but with the incorporation of appropriate locking mechanisms to assure that the legs 34, 36 will be locked in a position to support the doll such that it may stand freely and jump relative to the supporting surface S.

Disposed within body 22 are the animating mechanisms, generally designated by the reference numeral 48, which include rope-turning mechanisms, generally designated by the reference numeral 50. Mechanisms 48, 50 together are effective to jump the doll 20 relative to the support S and turn the arms 26, 28 in timed relation to such jumping motion such that the doll will jump rope in a free-standing position. Animating mechanisms 48 include a C-shaped supporting bracket 52 which includes vertical section 52a, and upper and lower horizontal sections 52b, 52C. The vertical section 52a of supporting bracket 52 is secured to the back ofthe doll body 22 in any appropriate fashion, as by molding in mounting lugs 22a, 22b on body 22 against which vertical section 52a bears and is secured by screws 54a, 54b. For all intents and purposes, C- shaped supporting bracket 52 is unitary with body 22 and upon receiving a sudden and upward impact will cause the doll 20 to jump relative to the support S as it will now be described.

Mounted on the supporting bracket 52 is a relatively large moving mass which includes a crosshead 56 serving as the hammer of the animating mechanisms 48, front and rear carrier plates 58, 60 which depend from crosshead 56, motor 62,

related gearing and battery case 64 which receive one or more batteries B. Body 22 is provided with an appropriate removable access cover such that the one or more batteries B may be inserted to and removed from battery case 64, such constructional details not being shown in the interest of simplicity. The substantial moving mass of the animating mechanisms 48 is movable between the cocked or loaded position illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein crosshead 56 (serving as a hammer) is spaced from section 52b (serving as anvil) through an unloading motion into the impact-imparting position illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein hammer 56 contacts anvil 52b. Incident to such motion, the entire subassembly including as the principal elements plates 58, 60, motor 62 and battery case 64 and batteries B move vertically within the doll body 22. This subassembly is mounted for such motion between the upper and lower horizontal sections 52b, 52e of supporting bracket 52 by vertically extending guide rods 66, 68. The removable mounting for the subahsembly includes bearing sleeves 70, 72 which are connected to and depend from crosshead 56 and are slidably mounted on guide rods 66, 68.

Mounted intermediate the crosshead 56 and the lower horizontal section 52C of supporting bracket 52 on the respective guide rods 66, 68 and their corresponding bearing sleeves 70, 72 are energy-storing springs 74, 76 which are loaded as the crosshead 56 moves through its downward loading motion or stroke from the energy-transfer position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the loaded position illustrated in FIG. 5. Springs 74, 76, when released to move through the unloading stroke or motion from the FIG. 5 position to the FIG. 4 position, are effective to impart the stored potential energy therein from hammer 56 to anvil 52b to impact the latter and cause the figure to jump relative to the support. Of course, the entire subassembly which moves with the crosshead 56 contributes to imparting momentum to the doll 20 for lifting the same relative to the support S.

Motor 62 serves as a power means for charging the energystoring springs 74, 76 and is mounted on the front carrier plate 58 by an L-shaped motor mounting bracket 78 which includes ear 78a attached to front carrier plate 58 and a bearing leg 78b which fixes motor 62 in position with its motor shaft 62a projecting through front carrier plate 58 and extending fore and aft of the doll body 22. Interposed between front and rear carrier plates 58, 60 is an appropriate reduction gear train 80 which includes a drivingpinion 80a on motor sha 62a and a driven output gear 80h on output shaft 80e. Output sha 801. likewise extends fore and aft of the doll body 22 and projects through the rear carrier plate 60 and cam'es a multiple lobe escapement cam 82 which is driven in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear of the doll (see FIG. l0). Positioned above the multiple lobe escapement cam 82 is a release member 84 which is fixed to the vertical section 52a of the supporting bracket 52 an includes an inclined lobe-engaging surface 84a which is arranged to engage successive lobes of escapement cam 82, such as lobe 82a. Thus, as successive lobes 82a are presented to the inclined surface 84a of released member 84, the moving mass consisting of the crosshead 56, plates 58, 60, motor 62, battery case 64, batteries B, gear train 80, etc. is moved from the position illustrated by the full lines in FIG. 4 and the dotted lines in FIG. 10 through the springloading stroke to the cocked or loaded position illustrated by the full lines in FIGS. 5 and l0. As the cam lobe 82a clears the retaining member 84, the loaded springs 74, 76 drive the hammer 56 through its operative stroke; and as the springs unload, hammer 56 is driven against the anvil 52b. By appropriate proportioning of the components, balancing the weight of the mechanisms in the doll and judicious selection of springs and the timing of the energy-releasing mechanisms 82, 84, the desired jumping action is achieved.

Reference will now be made to the details of the ann-turning mechanisms 50 and means for coordinating the rotation of arms 26, 28 through the rope-turning cycle in the required timed relation to the jumping of the doll 20 under control of the animating mechanisms 48. The rope-turning mechanisms 50 include a transversely extending arm shaft 86 journaled on the opposite sides of the bracket 96 and having hub members 88, 90. In this illustrative embodiment, hub member 88 is in the form of a clutch which includes a driving member 88a keyed to shaft 86 and biased against driven member 88b connected to the right arm 26 by spring 88C which bears against mounting hub 88d and against stop 88e fixed to shaft 86. Although the clutch 88 is illustrated specifically as a one-way ratchet, the teeth could be arranged appropriately to permit the arm 26 to be ratcheted in either direction. In the response to turning of arm shaft 86 in a direction to turn arm 26 through the rope-turning cycle, drive is established through the spring-biased clutch or rachet members 88a, 88b, but the dolls right arm 26 may be grasped by the user and turned freely in at least the same direction. The dolls left arm 28 is directly connected to hub 90 to establish a fixed relationship between arm shaft 86 and arm 28. When the rope-turning mechanisms 50 are to be employed, the child obviously must bring the right arm 26 into the same rotational attitude as the left arm 28 to engage the simulated jump rope 42 in the hands 30, 32 of the doll. In this way, the requisite orientation is established between the arms 26, 28 and the rope-turning mechanisms 50, yet there is some degree of freedom during play of the doll incident to the ability to rotate right arm 26 relative to left arm 28.

Arm shaft 86 is rotated in the direction to turn arm 26, 28 and jump rope 42 through a rope-turning cycle during which rope 42 moves forwardly and downwardly beneath the feet of the doll and then upwardly and rearwardly, as progressively shown by the full and dotted lines in FIG. l. Rotation of shaft 86 is accomplished by the provision of a driven member 92 which is journaled on a stationary fore and aft mounting shaft 94 on an auxiliary supporting bracket 96 which is fixed to upper section 52h of the main supporting bracket 52. Rotatable driven member 92 is formed at its rearward side with an integral face or crown gear 98 which engages a driven pinion 100 on arm shaft 82, with gears 98, 100 being arranged such that 120 of rotation of the face gear 98 causes driven pinion gear 100 to turn through 360 corresponding to a complete rope-turning cycle. In this illustrative embodiment, the rotatable driven member 92 includes a bearing sleeve 92a on the stationary mounting shaft 94, a front wall 92h extending radially of bearing sleeve 92a and a rearwardly directed cylindrical wall 92C which terminates in the integral face gear 98 and defines a shallow rearwardly opening housing 92d. Projecting forwardly within the housing 92d through front wall 92b and mounted on a common carrier 102 arecam follower pins 104A, 104B and 104C. In the normal operation of the ropeturning mechanisms 50, the follower pin 104A, which are circumferentially spaced at 120 intervals, projected forwardly from front wall 92b of driven member 92 and are engaged by an actuating claw 106 and a kicker or striker 108.

Actuating claw 106 is pivoted on the front carrier plate 58 at claw pivot 110 and is biased by spring 112 to urge claw notch 106a into engagement with successive follower pins 104 at approximately the l oclock position (if the front wall 92b of driven member 92 is considered to have positions corresponding to the face of the clock). Claw 106 moves downwardly through an actuating stroke in response to downward movement of the carrier plate 58 in response to rotation of the escapement member 82 and brings about a corresponding rotation of driven member 92 as may be appreciated by comparing the position of follower pin 104A in FIGS. 4 and 5. Striker 108 is rigidly attached to the front carrier plate 58 by an appropriate mounting bracket 114 and is effective during the unloading or impact-producing motion of the animating mechanisms 48 to contact the follower pin 104 which is at approximately the 9 o'clock position to impart rapid rotation to the driven member 92, as may be appreciated by comparing the relative positions in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The alternate and sequential operation of actuating claw 106 and striker 108 in producing the requisite rotation of driven member 92 of the rope-turning mechanisms 50 via engagement with the follower pins 104 (and the corresponding turning motion produced on the arms 26, 28 and on the jump rope 42) may be best appreciated by reference to the schematic and diagrammatic showings of FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11a diagrammatically corresponds to the FIG. 4 position with springs 74, 76 unloaded and just prior to the initiation of a rope-turning cycle. As front carrier plate 58 of the movable mass begins its downward motion from the uppermost limit position of claw 106 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11a by the dot-dash line d), claw 106 engages follower pin A which has been roughly oriented in the first quadrant of the clock face upon the completion of the previous rope-turning cycle. As claw 106 moves through its actuating stroke, it produces of rotation of the driven member 92 which in turn brings about 270 of rotation of the arms (compare the dotted line and full line showing of FIG. 12 and the corresponding figure designation). When the claw 106 arrives at its lowermost position shown in FIG. 11b, corresponding to the fully loaded condition of the springs 74, 76 (and the imminent quick release by the energy-releasing mechanisms 82, 84), the jump rope 42 is positioned slightly forwardly of the legs 34, 36 of the doll in position to pass therebeneath when the doll jumps relative to the support S. In the loaded position of FIG. 11b, striker 108 is below follower pin C and as the springs 74, 76 unload in response to the release of the escapement mechanisms, both the actuating claw 106 and Stricker 108 travel upwardly into the position illustrated in FIG. llc. Striker 108 then contacts follower pin C rotating driven member 92 through at least 30 and moving the pin to the C position in FIG. llc from which it further moves in the counterclockwise direction by inertia into position C, corresponding notations being employed for pins A and B in FIG. llc. As will be recalled, 30 rotation of driven member 92 brings about 90 of rotation of the arms and the jump rope, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 12 and 13. However, the overtravel produced by inertia is effective to impart sucient rotation to driven member 92 to bring the next follower pin into the rst quadrant for engagement by the actuating claw 106. Although in the illustrative showing of FIGS. l1 to 13, the actuating claw 106 carries the arms 26, 28 through approximately 270 of rotation, with the striker 108 providing the remaining actuation, this is purely illustrative. In commercial practice, the actuating claw 106 may achieve as much as 330 of rotation of the rope-turning cycle, with the striker 108 achieving as little as 30 of such rotation in the cycle.

Provision is made for engaging and disengaging the ropeturning mechanisms 50 such that the doll 20 may be utilized with and without the rope-turning function. This is accomplished by retracting the follower pins 104A, 104B and 104C from their respective operative positions extending forwardly of the front wall 92a of driven member 92. To this end, a manual control, generally designated by the reference numeral 116, is operatively connected to the common carrier 102 for follower pins 104 to move same from the operative position (shown by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 9) to the inoperative position (shown by the full lines in FIG. 9). Nor mally, carrier 102 and pins 104 are biased to the retracted position by coil spring 118 which encircles stationary mounting shaft 94 and is disposed within housing 92d. The manual control 116 in turn includes a control lever 120 which projects through a cutout 22C in the rear wall of the doll body 22, with the control lever being confined for limited horizontal movement by bifurcated head 122 engaging over arm shaft 86, with head 122 bearing against the rearward face of common carrier 102. Control lever 120 is provided with a downwardly extending locking notch 102av which engages over locking ledge 96a formed on bracket 96. The notch 12011 and locking ledge 96a are positioned relative to the carrier 102 and the parts are so dimensioned that when notch l20a is engaged on ledge-.96a, carrier 102 is urged forwardly against the bias of spring 118 to project pins 104 into their respective operative positions. When the user pivots lever 120 in the counterclockwise direction about shaft 86 (as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7) from the locked position of FIG. 6 to the unlocked position of FIG. 7, the follower pins 104 are retracted to the inoperative position by spring 118.

Any appropriate circuit may be associated with the control lever 120, the motor 62 and battery B to permit the user to initiate the operation of the animating mechanisms`48 with or without the rope-turning mechanisms 50. For example, battery B and motor 62 may be connected in series with a main switch 124 which is connected in parallel with a normally open switch 126. Switch 126 is in position to be closed by control lever 120 when the same is moved into the FIG. 6 position wherein pins 104 are operatively disposed relative to the actuating claw 106 and the striker 108. Thus, if the child desires to play with the toy without the rope-turning mechanisms 50 in operation, the child simply closes main switch 124 which may be mounted at any convenient and accessible location at the rear of the doll. If, on the other hand, the child desires to animate the doll with the rope-turning mechanisms 50 in operation, the child merely pushes in on control lever 120 to engage the same from the inoperative position illustrated in FIG. 7 to the operative position illustrated in FIG. 6. Other expedients are contemplated for completing the control circuit, including, for example, the provision of several notches n lever 120 which would enable the child to establish a first position wherein both the animating mechanisms 48 and the ropeturning mechanisms 50 are operative, a second position wherein only the main animating mechanisms are operative and a third position wherein the energization circuit was open.

A typical sequence of operations will now be described:

In order for the doll to jumpV rope, arms 26, 28 must be brought into opposed relation as shown in FIG. l and jump rope 42 engaged with the arms in the illustrated position. The child then pushes in on control lever 120 to move the same into the locked position illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein follower pins 104 project forwardly of driven member 92. The animating cycle proceeds with actuating claw 106 engaging the follower pins 104 in the first quadrant of the driven member 92; and during the downward stroke of actuating claw 106, springs 74, 76 are loaded, as illustrated in FIG. 5. When the springs are loaded, the corresponding lobe 82a of the multiple lobe escapement cam 82 passes from engagement with the retaining member 84 and the energy-releasing mechanisms 82, 84 free the hammer or crosshead 56 to move upwardly through the operative stroke to impact anvil 52d and cause the doll to jump upwardly. As the doll jumps upwardly, the ropeturning mechanisms 50 pass the jump rope 42 beneath the feet 38, 40 of the doll, such motion being accomplished by the striker 108 contacting the follower pin which is located between the third and fourth quadrants of the rotatable member 92, as previously described. The operation continues until such time as control lever 120 is released and switch 124 is open.

In order for the doll to jump with the rope-turning mechanisms disabled, the child closes main switch 124 leaving control lever in the open position, illustrated in FIG. 7. The animating cycle proceeds as before, but actuating claw 106 essentially moves through a lost motion stroke in that pins 104A, B and C are retracted. In a similar fashion, striker 108 performs no work function. However, springs 74, 76 are loaded and when the energy-releasing mechanisms 82, 84 free a hammer or crosshead 56 to move upwardly through the operative stroke, anvil 52d is impacted and causes the doll to jump.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there has been provided an animating mechanism which enables a doll of normal construction to be moved in a lifelike fashion to simulate a child jumping rope. The mechanism is constructed of relatively simple and rugged parts and as such is capable of manufacture on a mass production basis at relatively low unit cost. Use by the child involves a simple manipulation of one or more switches and the doll, apart from its play in the animated modes, has the usual play value.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What we claim is:

l. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including a body, depending legs connected to said body and terminating in feet adapted to rest on said support and opposed arms joumaled on said body for rotation through a rope-turning cycle and terminating in hands adapted to carry a simulated jump rope which passes beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms in said body for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing means in said body movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means in said figure for charging said energystoring means, energy-releasing mean operatively connected to said energy-storing means for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said rope-turning cycle and including a rotatable driven member having plural circumferentially spaced follower pins thereon, first coupling means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said powered means for turning said arms through a portion of said rope-turning cycle in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope will be positioned to pass beneath said feet during the next portion of said rope-turning cycle said first coupling means including a spring-biased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member, and second coupling means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said energy-storing means for rapidly turning said arms through said next portion of said rope-turning cycle in response to said unloading motion said second coupling means including a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member.

2. An animated toy according to claim l including a simulated jump rope and coacting means on said hands and on said jump rope for releasably connecting said jump rope to said arms in extending relation thereto.

3. An animated toy according to claim 1 wherein said energy-storing means includes at least one spring.

4. An animated toy according to claim l wherein said powered means includes a battery-operated motor mounted in said body.

5. An animated toy according to claim l wherein said armtuming mechanisms include an arm shaft joumaled on said body transversely thereof, means rigidly connecting one of said arms to said arm shaft and releasable means rotatably attaching the other of said arms to said arm shaft whereby said arms are capable of relative motion with respect to each other but with said one arm maintaining a prescribed operative relation to said arm-turning mechanisms.

6. An animated toy according to claim 1 including means for disengaging said arm-turning mechanisms whereby said figure may be caused to jump with said arms in a relatively stationary position. l

7. An animated toy according to claim 6 wherein said armtuming mechanisms include driven means engageable with said first and second coupling means and said disengaging means includes a manually operable control for moving said driven means out of a position for engagement with said first and second coupling means.

8. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including feet adapted to rest on said support and arms joumaled for rotation through a rope-turning cycle, a simulated jump rope carried by said arms and arranged to pass beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing springs movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means for charging said energy-storing springs, energy-releasing means operatively connected to said energy-storing springs for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said rope-turning cycle and including a rotatable driven member having plural circumferentially spaced follower pins thereon, first means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said powered means for partially turning said arms through said rope-turning cycle in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope is forwardly of and positioned to pass beneath said feet said first means including a spring-biased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member, and second means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said energy-storing springs for rapidly turning said arms through the remainder of said ropeturning cycle in response to said unloading motion of said energy-storing springs said second means including a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member.

9. An animated toy according to claim 8 wherein said armturning mechanisms include an arm shaft joumaled transversely of said figure, means rigidly connecting one of said arms to said arm shaft and clutch means rotatably attaching the other of said arms to said arm shaft.

10. An animated toy according to claim 8 including means for disengaging said arm-turning mechanisms whereby said figure may be caused to jump with said arms in a relatively stationary position.

11. An animated toy according to claim 10 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include driven means engageable with said first and second means and said disengaging means includes a manually operable control for moving said driven means out of a manually operable for engagement with said first and second means.

l2. An animated toy according to claim 1l wherein said driven means includes a plurality of follower pins which are retractible relative to said first and second means by said manually operable control.

13. An animated toy according to claim l2 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include a rotatable driven member carrying said follower pins, said first means includes a springbiased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member and said secondrmeans includes a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member. 

1. An animaTed toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including a body, depending legs connected to said body and terminating in feet adapted to rest on said support and opposed arms journaled on said body for rotation through a rope-turning cycle and terminating in hands adapted to carry a simulated jump rope which passes beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms in said body for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing means in said body movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means in said figure for charging said energy-storing means, energy-releasing mean operatively connected to said energystoring means for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said rope-turning cycle and including a rotatable driven member having plural circumferentially spaced follower pins thereon, first coupling means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said powered means for turning said arms through a portion of said rope-turning cycle in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope will be positioned to pass beneath said feet during the next portion of said rope-turning cycle said first coupling means including a spring-biased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member, and second coupling means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said energy-storing means for rapidly turning said arms through said next portion of said rope-turning cycle in response to said unloading motion said second coupling means including a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member.
 2. An animated toy according to claim 1 including a simulated jump rope and coacting means on said hands and on said jump rope for releasably connecting said jump rope to said arms in extending relation thereto.
 3. An animated toy according to claim 1 wherein said energy-storing means includes at least one spring.
 4. An animated toy according to claim 1 wherein said powered means includes a battery-operated motor mounted in said body.
 5. An animated toy according to claim 1 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include an arm shaft journaled on said body transversely thereof, means rigidly connecting one of said arms to said arm shaft and releasable means rotatably attaching the other of said arms to said arm shaft whereby said arms are capable of relative motion with respect to each other but with said one arm maintaining a prescribed operative relation to said arm-turning mechanisms.
 6. An animated toy according to claim 1 including means for disengaging said arm-turning mechanisms whereby said figure may be caused to jump with said arms in a relatively stationary position.
 7. An animated toy according to claim 6 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include driven means engageable with said first and second coupling means and said disengaging means includes a manually operable control for moving said driven means out of a position for engagement with said first and second coupling means.
 8. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including feet adapted to rest on said support and arms journaled for rotation through a rope-turning cycle, a simulated jump rope carried by said arms and arranged to pass beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms for jumping said figurE and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing springs movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means for charging said energy-storing springs, energy-releasing means operatively connected to said energy-storing springs for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said rope-turning cycle and including a rotatable driven member having plural circumferentially spaced follower pins thereon, first means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said powered means for partially turning said arms through said rope-turning cycle in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope is forwardly of and positioned to pass beneath said feet said first means including a spring-biased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member, and second means operable on said arm-turning mechanisms and from said energy-storing springs for rapidly turning said arms through the remainder of said rope-turning cycle in response to said unloading motion of said energy-storing springs said second means including a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member.
 9. An animated toy according to claim 8 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include an arm shaft journaled transversely of said figure, means rigidly connecting one of said arms to said arm shaft and clutch means rotatably attaching the other of said arms to said arm shaft.
 10. An animated toy according to claim 8 including means for disengaging said arm-turning mechanisms whereby said figure may be caused to jump with said arms in a relatively stationary position.
 11. An animated toy according to claim 10 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include driven means engageable with said first and second means and said disengaging means includes a manually operable control for moving said driven means out of a manually operable for engagement with said first and second means.
 12. An animated toy according to claim 11 wherein said driven means includes a plurality of follower pins which are retractible relative to said first and second means by said manually operable control.
 13. An animated toy according to claim 12 wherein said arm-turning mechanisms include a rotatable driven member carrying said follower pins, said first means includes a spring-biased actuating claw engaging said follower pins during successive loading motions for imparting rotation to said driven member and said second means includes a striker engaging said follower pins during successive unloading motions for imparting further rotation to said driven member. 